jed's backyard

thoughts of a madman (part I)

2011-07-13T18:29:00.001+10:00

Over the duration of my adult life I've struggled with reality, with Truth: what I perceive as opposed to what everyone else believes. As an objectivist I've developed a range of tools … coping mechanisms … and I've done OK. I'm a survivor. A functioning survivor and a pretty smart operator. I don't wish to dwell on my journey, but since about age 17 – when I sought help from a fellow traveller

wikileaks: the truth isn't always easy

2010-12-01T13:57:00.000+11:00

(As I posted to a forum earlier today – slightly edited. I could write several thousand words about the serial impacts of WikiLeaks but this is not the time.) ____________________________ Up to a point I understand why people are concerned about WikiLeaks' fairly indiscriminate dumping of information – but find it a real stretch that they are seen to be more a part of a problem than part of a

fuck it

2010-11-07T12:50:00.002+11:00

I was drafting a good post this morning; my first for a while. Got around two-thirds through it (say 300 words done) … then lost all power at 9.40am. Not uncommon in this part of the world, despite regular scheduled outages for 'maintenance'. And I didn't worry too much, as blogspot annoyingly autosaves every few seconds. Fine, you bastards! Got me off my arse and out of the house, attacking a

Realpolitik: why I just might preference Labor last for once*

2010-07-29T14:03:00.004+10:00

Some thoughts on a single issue: asylum-seekers. Matter of fact, they don't 'scare' me. (rofl) I don't give a stuff if they have paperwork or not. I don't care if they were wealthy or poor in their former lives. I've been marginally involved with a few refugees going back to 2004 and have found them to be, without exception, empathetic and intelligent people who would make solid citizens. Due

the last refuge of the scoundrel?

2010-01-25T09:18:00.001+11:00

According to the dictionary, I'm a patriot. According to my heart, I'm a patriot. Why, then, on the eve of Australia Day, do I feel so disconnected from so many fellow-travellers? Why do 'Aussie patriots' almost invariably piss me off? You know, the ones who 'protest their faith' so loudly, so colourfully, so trenchantly … so feverishly? The ones who believe love of one's country can be

let's get on with it: beyond the cargo cult

2010-01-02T11:05:00.002+11:00

Cargo cult is the name given to a large number of intense and short-lived religious movements in the South Pacific islands. They are called cargo cults because they all speak of the arrival of large shipments of Western goods. In Pidgin English, a language that consists mainly of words from English and the island languages, the word kago refers to goods found in shops, as well as telephones, cars

let's get on with it: steppin on the gas

2010-01-01T14:41:00.008+11:00

Project outline. To deliver natural gas infrastructure to Warburton* with a nett positive 'return on investment' across sustainability benchmarks. What's so damn special about this project? To this point in time, decision-makers and industry experts have applied linear thinking to extending the pipeline from Millgrove to Warburton. (That is, constrained to terms of delivering a brand new,

meh

2009-12-25T11:09:00.002+11:00

Just testing my RSS feed. Happy Christmas everyone. In breaking news, Hannah crushed me at TenPin Bowling on the new Wii. I'm kinda over it already. :) PS. RSS feeds now working for selected ABC and CFA links. A bit more to do yet. ;] If anyone's interested, I'm using SlashDock. PPS. (Sunday) Rather in the spirit of adventure rather than the usual self-indulgence, I've made this blog

direct action (an interlude)

2009-12-19T12:44:00.001+11:00

Copenhagen? Pffft. A monument to profligate overconsumption. A victory by sectional interests and an outdated economic model. Tony Abbott and Direct Action©? Pffft. (And stop stealing our labels, you vacuous sneak.) Here's some honest, real-world Direct Action: an exciting example of how gardeners can help shape the future. http://features.csmonitor.com/gardening/2009/08/18/one-town-and-26-

kobenhavn: beyond the smoke and mirrors

2009-12-19T09:49:00.008+11:00

Well, I've had my say on the Climate Change Summit – time to move on. Over the past couple of years I've laboured the point that, given current technologies and resources and population trends, a sustainable planet simply cannot embrace continual economic growth. That same old Elephant in the Room turned up at Copenhagen – indeed, I saw her lurking in every single telecast – but I've been unable

some reflections on kobenhavn

2009-12-19T08:43:00.007+11:00

In the leadup to the 'Climate Change Summit' I envisaged it as a necessary phase of social evolution. As it draws to a close, my viewpoint remains unchanged (unchallenged). You could term it a massive waste of resources. You'd be right. You could label it a bit of a self-indulgent wankfest. You'd be right. I share your cynicism. And yet I'll maintain it was necessary – just as Kyoto was. Some

too feral for facebook? lolz

2009-12-18T11:27:00.010+11:00

I've spent roughly 40% of my life alone: let's round that off to 20 years. Some of this time has elapsed within the protective envelope of a 'relationship'; some on the outside. Mostly, I celebrate being an outsider: 'a complete unknown'. This status carries a lot of power! Not simply independence – to do my own thing in my own time and, yes, to indulge my weaknesses – but the rare opportunity

arse-shifting season

2009-12-17T11:15:00.004+11:00

Been a weird and exciting few months here @ jeds backyard. Lots going on in a variety of spheres, locally and globally … all grist to the mill, as always. I've lost track of the number of times since June that I made a mental note to 'blog about that' – but then the tide of happenstance invariably swept in and my thoughts became so much flotsam. Well, anyone who knows me will appreciate I'm a

some reflections on 'the working poor'

2009-06-30T12:37:00.005+10:00

What's going on with many of our nuclear families?Both parents working and still falling behind financially; many using charity to supplement their income / lifestyle.The gap between income and 'needs', at least for many, increasingly unbreachable.[H]unger [sic] gnawing away at children and families of the working poorhttp://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,25693743-5012465,00.

a letter to the editor; a letter to you

2009-06-27T14:06:00.003+10:00

This is an open letter to those who want to support their community but 'don't have time'.Just shop locally – as often as you can.Every healthy community needs a healthy local economy.Here's some context.I'm convinced that Coles and Woolies/Safeway do indeed practise anti-competitive behaviour and that a grocery duopoly - often spawning local monopolies - is not healthy for the end-user nor for

'the paradox of choice'

2009-06-17T14:34:00.003+10:00

We are spoilt, aren't we?http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/barry_schwartz_on_the_paradox_of_choice.htmlWhy does the multi-billion-dollar 'self-improvement' (self-satisfaction, self-fulfilment … self-gratification!) industry exist?A few thoughts I recorded earlier this year.…To quote the synopsis from the above clip: choice has made us not freer but more paralyzed, not happier but more

a vignette on the politics of education …

2009-06-13T15:10:00.005+10:00

Information is power. Education is power. (I'll apologise in advance for the forthcoming series of generalisations.) It's an increasing sign of the times that we proles, collectively, know the price of everything and the value of nothing. 'We' don't want power any more. Too much responsibility. ;) 'Hey, Big Bro, I'm an honest citizen!: absorb all my personal information and stick it on a 'smart'-

Bob Brown vs the turds

2009-06-09T16:12:00.006+10:00

Gunns have an ongoing 'special relationship' with a series of Tassie governments …/Jed waits for a knock on the door/ ;)… and nothing the Feds do would surprise me.I've always been in favour of a sustainable forestry industry - and have earned a living from it.The way I see this issue, sustainable forestry and Gunns' philosophy - and methodology - are worlds apart.But, before anyone discounts me

Chasers vs mediocrity and bloody hypocrites

2009-06-08T11:48:00.005+10:00

I'm a Chasers' War on Everything fan. I believe it generally offers leading edge comedy during an age of mediocrity, soft targets and cheap laughs.Indeed, the humour is frequently crude and they fail from time to time - but at least they take risks.At the same time, I accept that many don't like it.And choose not to watch it.(?)Maybe not!I also realise that the 'Make a Realistic Wish' sketch (

more light; less heat

2009-02-26T08:57:00.004+11:00

We can never protect ourselves from every single scenario.You 'didn't need to hear this'? Bzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzt. Wrong.History has repeatedly taught us how vulnerable we are at times, yet our instinctive reaction to natural disaster is to target a series of scapegoats to focus the blame - since the Causes are too difficult! - and then invest in an exercise to 'ensure it can never happen again.' Even

Ockham's Razor*: sorting the wheat from the chaff

2009-01-21T11:12:00.015+11:00

(Before I start: if any of the following terms are unclear, feel free to look them up in a dictionary or use the 'define' option in Google.)The best lies are half true.Compare, for example, the mainstream (official) analyses of '9-11' with the alternative ('truthist') viewpoints.Both 'sides' have much to gain by obfuscation in serving their respective agendas.The best way to achieve this level of

centrelink

2008-12-25T10:49:00.008+11:00

Inevitably, Australia's interpretation of the 'welfare state' has evolved - in some ways for the better.If you think about it, the philosophy of 'mutual obligation' has a lot of nett benefits … as long as it applies to everyone!It never has. It never will. It's long been my contention that the ¿service? I term 'Clink' - the sound made by a single dried-out brain cell rattling around an empty

the spirit of christmas: a vignette

2008-12-18T16:20:00.004+11:00

Like many atheists I don't get really excited about this time of year.I'm not curmudgeonly about it.I love sharing the happiness of kids. I enjoy catching up with mates for a drink and a good rant and some special food.I even look forward to seeing the odd relative. (I have plenty of those.)And let's face it, after a few drugs of choice, some of those hymns and homilies can sound pretty damn

customer service: part II – the solution

2008-12-10T13:05:00.021+11:00

OK.I've had my (valid) rant about predominantly crap service (see my last post), so let's move on to affirmative stuff.Never a massive John Lennon fan, I agree it can often be a very good thing to Imagine a better world … (as long as you're prepared to get out of bed and do something about it!)So let's imagine a society where every person put everyone else ahead of themselves.No self-servers, no

customer service: part I - the reality

2008-11-14T15:01:00.017+11:00

Sensational service underpins my business. I've always taken pride in delivering fast, excellent service to my clientele and new customers alike. I take a real interest in their progress and celebrate their successes. Most of them are friends. Some are good friends. I enjoy challenging myself to turn around work as quickly as possible and finding efficient, elegant solutions to technical issues.

bye-bye murderers

2008-11-10T15:53:00.003+11:00

So, three of the Bali bombers - those pathologically stupid, grinning, self-promoting criminal arseholes - have finally been terminated by the Indonesian state.Heartbreaker. A handful down, a million or two to go.No, seriously, it's about about fucking time. I'd have taken these turds out with a baseball bat … along with the adventurist murderers in the Bush cabinet.It may surprise many,

Jed's Ten Commandments for the Naughty Naughties

2008-11-08T13:07:00.005+11:00

(Probably a work in progress: this is the first draft.)1. I, the Market, am the god of everyfink. Despite my ongoing series of massive fails, all governments shall kneel before me.2. My servants shall continue to privatise profit and socialise debt in My name.3. My apostates shall cheat, speculate, exploit and lie massively until found out. Then tell a different lie … ad infinitum. For this is my

you really need to read this particular post

2008-10-26T14:44:00.004+11:00

I've had a flurry of micro-activity this weekend, with the unfortunate result that yesterday's crucial post has slipped down the queue.If you read nothing else (your loss), please check this one out!

a sensationally funny joke

2008-10-26T14:40:00.001+11:00

Warning: DON'T read this with a mouthful of beverage.The chicken and the egg are in bed together.The egg lights a cigarette, leans back and says, 'Well, that one's sorted.'Source: my good mate Pete - and those who came before him.

soothsaying from the backyard: the Good Oil

2008-10-26T13:46:00.010+11:00

I'm not the type of person who says 'I told you so'.We all make mistakes; we all embarrass ourselves from time to time: the last thing we need is some wanker reminding us (at the worst possible time) that we ignored their priceless advice.OK, now that the mandatory, qualificative preamble is out of the way, I'm going to:(1) give myself a hearty pat on the back for delivering a series of

a new series of Big Brother you aren't allowed to switch off

2008-10-25T11:10:00.009+11:00

(I'll need to be a bit more rigorous in my blogging habits. In the current climate, if we don't use it we're gonna lose it.)Investing a few minutes into your own investigations (some starter links below) could literally change your life. (Not bothering to will almost definitely change your life!)I've never used that cliché before. Now I've used it twice.Likewise, I've never consciously used the

who remembers cardinal sins?

2008-07-16T13:16:00.009+10:00

Here's a couple of posts I've submitted to a forum.I've edited them for context only.<->10 JulyOn the 7.30 Report last night the versatile Ali Moore demonstrated a new standard for fair-but-ruthless journalism in her interview with Pell. IMO.Too clever by half!There's a saying to the effect that 'if you always tell the truth you can get away with having a bad memory.'Pity George never learnt

spammers = scammers

2008-06-06T14:04:00.014+10:00

Phew! Where to start?At present I have one phone line, used for voice and broadband Internet (and, infrequently, for faxes - remember them!?).Well, I've had the same number since 1996 when my ex-partner and I moved to Warburton.At roughly the same time (1996) we incorporated our business … so for eight years (until the company was liquidated), we ran Banshee Graphics Pty Ltd.From what I can

yet another joke

2008-05-30T16:05:00.003+10:00

Apparently Schapelle Corby's beauty salon has a couple of other signs on the door. There's an advertisement for Shapelle's new herbal treatment which is guaranteed to take 20 years off your life. It's for women who have lost their appeal.Source: http://au.messages.yahoo.com/news/top-stories/1135494?p=2(Funny how anything concerning a convicted drug smuggler generates perverted humour. Good thing

camden, new south wales

2008-05-30T15:06:00.006+10:00

Just a quick note to congratulate the good citizens of Camden, west of Sydney, for their passionate interest in planning issues.A few days ago 200 of them attended their local council meeting to hear confirmation that a planning permit for a new muslim school is the district would not be issued.All I can say is, GOOD ON THEM! And GOOD ON COUNCIL!Appropriate usage of land, even in rural areas

9-11: the real conspiracy

2008-05-28T12:59:00.004+10:00

Don't you love how the vast majority sees the 9-11 attacks in isolation - either as a pack of Al Qaeda terrorists opportunistically slaughtering 3000 western citizens or a neo-con plot within the US government to galvanize and unite 'christendom/ziondom' against Islam - rather than a mutually advantageous joint effort?Back in 2001 I was dozing in front of late-nite TV when my partner shook me

geelong revisited

2008-05-28T12:45:00.004+10:00

On 29 April I posted about the Geelong footy team; in essence, that they were unbeatable …I'm unhappy to admit that my analysis was dead wrong.Look it up if you want to beat me over the head with it.If Geelong ever did have a magic black bag 'o' tricks, it proved to be empty last weekend.(It will be fascinating to see how they respond, won't it?)My pathetic effort just goes to show how much I

another joke

2008-05-28T12:40:00.000+10:00

What can six men do that three women can't?Piss in the same bucket.

I really love the interwebz

2008-05-19T14:01:00.007+10:00

Forget its efficiency and immediacy for a minute. Ignore, even, the small and decreasing enviro-footprint of working and communicating online.In the 'nett return' stakes, the Internet simply rocks - because it empowers people!Not just you and me, but her and him and them and … an increasing number of global citizens every day.No matter where you live, or how you live, or how much money you make,

wanky products

2008-05-16T17:41:00.003+10:00

Thanks to 'global thinking' by a series of Australian governments, manufacturing in this country has been declining for 25 years.RIP John Button. I know your heart was in the right place, but thanks for nothing.In retail the grocery industry, dominated by the duopoly of Safeway / Woolworths and Coles, the consumer is presented with declining choice between brands, dearer prices and even products

confessional

2008-05-09T13:08:00.006+10:00

Constructive criticism over the months has convinced me that my posts are often impenetrable.(Say the word 'rant' many times, quickly: it blurs, acoustically, into 'rah-rah-rah'!)Those of you who know me well enough will understand why I do this.Whether you do understand or not, here are some reasons.1. There's so much to say.2. It's all, in my opinion, urgent.3. There's always at least two sides

what's the real cost of the mythical 'free' market?

2008-05-07T12:41:00.007+10:00

I'd be the first to admit that, as a general rule of thumb, you can't change human nature.Example. There's nothing wrong with communism in its purest sense but as applied, historically, it has too often brought out the worst in humanity: criminality, genocide, elitism and privilege, incompetence, lack of accountability, exploitation, suppression and repression.Substitute communism with

let's shut this arsehole down …

2008-05-03T19:08:00.005+10:00

… permanently.(… and any individual or organisation that underwrites him.)Guillermo Vargas HabacucThis piece of scum calls himself an artist. I'll give him 'art'.Maybe 30 years ago I read a quote from Doris Lessing along the following lines. Unfortunately, despite several searches, I've not been able to properly source and attribute it, but truth transcends 'credit' …The measure of a civilization

get with the program … coupla useful links

2008-05-02T14:46:00.005+10:00

Regain control: Insight 1Regain control: Insight 2quality before quantity … efficiency before 'busyness' … Equity before morbid overconsumption.Wake up before your bed catches fire.

a joke

2008-04-30T13:16:00.003+10:00

I'm rebuilding this from the ground up as I can only remember the theme and the punchline.A groom and his best man were called upon to sign a document after the wedding service.The groom, who had never learnt to write, inscribed a large 'X'.The best man, at his turn, wrote 'XX'.'What's the second X for?' asked the groom.'Oh, that's my economics degree.'

geelong

2008-04-29T13:54:00.005+10:00

Upfront! I'm nowhere near a footy expert.I know a lot about many sports but AFL isn't one of them.However, I think that sometimes I notice little things that smarter followers don't.The Geelong team is playing footy on a different level than other teams and, if their form continues, they'll prove it against all the rest. This is my contention.I've listened to maybe 80% of their first six games

shark fin soup II

2008-04-26T11:20:00.013+10:00

(Might be helpful if you do a littleHomeworkfirst.)I'm not a Buddhist. I'm an atheist. (Owned up to that one ages ago.)But I really like the way Buddhism works, if you know what I mean!Without getting even slightly mystical about it, I feel compelled and, equally, determined to integrate every element of my life - work, relationships, eating, sleep, leisure - into a single, contiguous and

shark fin soup 1

2008-04-26T10:18:00.013+10:00

Background info here:"ego, pride, exhibitionism, hubris..." a strong case for retrospective abortion.comAs always, never accept my word for it: Google is your friend.The increasing demand for shark fin soup during an accelerating global food crisis serves, in many ways, to encapsulate the intellectual vacuum manifest between the tokenistic 'sustainability mantra' and a less-than-smug reality.To

st kilda

2008-04-06T13:00:00.004+10:00

I emigrated from Sydney to (far) East Gippsland in 1983.A few days after I completed the relocation it was made clear to me that, although this wasn't mentioned on the induction paperwork, the choice of a Footy Team had now become mandatory.At the time violence for non-conformance was colourfully implied (but not, fortunately, ever enforced). Gotta love those Border Security bogans.As I had no

more jed stuff

2008-04-05T12:33:00.012+11:00

I needed to 'share' an image a while back and set up a Flickr account.Here's the address:over yonder, hiding behind the punkinsHave a look.I'll be updating it from time to time, with a mixture of personal and professional images.(Uploaded quite a few today; each has its own little editorial.)

Everybody wants to go to heaven but nobody wants to die

2008-04-05T10:23:00.010+11:00

Ever since sustainability became 'fashionable' and entered the mainstream - over the past year or two - this song has been kicking around in my head.What am I getting at?Most of us have good intentions. Flush once a day. Use more moderate settings on the reverse-cycle. Separate our waste (and maybe even value add it through a compost bin). Minimise using the car. And so forth.Simple, good,

functionality II

2008-04-03T08:45:00.006+11:00

Last month I mentioned applying for a few jobs.As one who treasures autonomy, all I can say is that you do what circumstances dictate.If any of these applications had been successful I'd be back on the chain-gang, earning up to 300% of my current income, paying my bills comfortably, conquering the mortgage … and probably drifting away from what I really want to do.Best outcome: one company asked

functionality

2008-04-03T08:09:00.005+11:00

Finally got the image-linking tool to work!

shopping trolley blues

2008-03-04T08:12:00.002+11:00

Well, I'm back after more than a month.I've spent this time trying to be less introspective and more outgoing, with partial success.After registering with 'Seek' a few weeks ago I've applied for a few jobs online.I also applied for a job I found in the local papers.Modern 'professional' courtesies being what they are, no one notifies you if an application is unsuccessful.I've also invested a bit

dancing in the dark

2008-01-27T11:05:00.001+11:00

There's a saying about 'leaving this world a better place than when you entered it.'I've always instinctively believed this - and probably will until the day I do 'leave'.Certainly, I'll never know if I've made a real difference overall, but would like to think my personal 'nett input' has been positive.Among the important things I've learnt, and tried to apply, are 'passion', 'courage', 'honesty

Revisiting "IF"

2008-01-24T09:08:00.000+11:00

That brilliant (?German-made?) biographical Dennis Hopper movie was on TV the other night [insert name here].Although I'm not a movie buff, as you can tell!, Dennis is my favourite actor.At the very end of the film, after the credits, Dennis recites Rudyard Kipling's "IF".I've copied and pasted it below; and then made some personal observations.IF you can keep your head when all about you Are

church of garbology

2008-01-17T15:04:00.000+11:00

http://gawker.com/5002269/the-cruise-indoctrination-video-scientology-tried-to-suppressThe net is buzzing with news and views about a Tom Cruise video bite, in which he 'articulates' his beliefs.[I use that word with extreme prejudice!][use the link above, however long it lasts! otherwise, google is your friend]Over the past 48 hours, give or take, the 'Church' of Scientology has been

oh, what a tangled web …

2008-01-14T17:16:00.000+11:00

Apologies if you've seen this before; it's a few months old.Yes, it's a propaganda piece … constructed from real video bites.All that's missing is a few Australian talking heads!If you oppose truth in politics - maybe you favour leniency for war criminals? - piss off back to MyFace or share trading.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OgfzqulvhlQ&eurl=

one reason why I grow my own

2008-01-12T13:31:00.001+11:00

The following is an edited version of a post I submitted to an online forum earlier today.I think it's worth repeating …I'd like to see harvested dates on fruit and veges sold as 'fresh'.Retailers are now required to state country of origin, at least if it's not Australia: fair enough.However, this requirement doesn't resolve most QC issues.How much stuff is being sold as fresh food when it's

my pressure cooker

2008-01-10T08:42:00.000+11:00

To use a 'kitchen' metaphor, we live in a microwave environment.I have a microwave. I use it about once a fortnight to partially defrost meat and roughly twice a week to 'steam' some treats (e.g. food scraps, sunflower seeds and a little pasta) for my chooks. For a short time, around 10 years ago, I used it for cooking but, overall, I found that the flavour and texture of microwaved food was

peripheral vision

2008-01-07T10:00:00.000+11:00

(WARNING: this post has no scientific merit)I want to talk about a phenomenon that, to my knowledge, has never been documented elsewhere.There is a direct correlation between the quality of an individual's peripheral vision and the quality of their relationships with other human beings.Of course, anyone can produce exceptions - medical conditions and so forth - but I'm talking about a general

a simple philosophy

2008-01-06T12:55:00.000+11:00

Do the right thing.At least TRY!You won't always succeed. ;-)Sometimes, my life seems to be a series of misunderstandings.Why? The archetypal optimist, I tend to assume that everyone thinks the same way I do … and that they understand the nuances, the subtexts and multiple ironies that instinctively flow out of my mouth.Reality check: most people don't instinctively engage on this level! And

governments just don't get it … case study

2008-01-06T10:00:00.000+11:00

In 2007 the Victorian Government decided to build a desalination plant to help 'future-proof' our state against water shortages.It resolved - in advance! - to build this plant irrespective of community concerns and environmental impacts.Over the past 12 months or so, Victorian consumers - residential and commercial - have reduced their 'freshwater' consumption by 22%; these savings will only

time out

2008-01-05T12:27:00.000+11:00

OK.My last post required a degree of patience. Hope I didn't scare anyone away!I'm considering a couple of techniques for making these 'analyses' a little more user-friendly. Bear with me. Please! This is seriously big picture stuff. As always, comments and suggestions are welcome.

governments just don't get it (part 1)

2008-01-04T11:33:00.000+11:00

The tagline (sub-heading) above says "think globally, act locally … ACT GLOBALLY".In my first post, I limited this theme to my business plan; however, it imbues pretty much every waking moment.What does it mean?Well, in a strictly scientific sense, everyone on the planet is connected.Even if we weren't all distant relatives (which we are), and suspending - for the time being - my personal belief

on the bandwagon

2008-01-02T13:15:00.000+11:00

2 January, 2008[1.15pm, Australian Eastern Summer Time]OK, I'm blogging at last. (Disclaimer: This behaviour is NOT driven by a New Year's Resolution!)I'm still feeling my way so bear with me.Not exactly an early adopter - it took me about six years to discover Lou Reed's Transformer - I've several reasons for creating my own "web presence". Do they still call it that? Probably not.To make it